At about 1 p.m. local time in San Jose, California on Saturday, the great billboard experiment in the sky will endure its toughest test yet.
That’s when the first College Football Playoff semifinal – pitting Clemson against Notre Dame – will kickoff on ESPN (4 p.m. ET, with Megacast options galore). It is then that the fan representatives from each of the four semifinalist schools – Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma – will set aside their burgeoning friendships and instead, show their true school spirit.
Following the completion of Alabama-Oklahoma (8 p.m.), the two fans supporting Saturday’s winning teams will then remain on the billboard – located near Levi’s Stadium, where the January 7 National Championship game will be played on ESPN.
Four fans are living atop a billboard in San Jose during the #CollegeFootballPlayoff on ESPN – the last fan standing after 12 days wins! Here’s how you can watch it all go down: https://t.co/eiY8Gz73T0
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 27, 2018
4 fans. 12 days. 1 billboard.
It's happening right now, live on ESPN3. #ESPNBillboard https://t.co/ijhmn0YEn1 pic.twitter.com/hOZJdGPoSQ
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) December 27, 2018
Front Row asked each of the four participants what they expect it to be like watching their team do battle in such close proximity to a fellow, rabid fan:
Llyas Ross Sr., Alabama
“It’s going to be a challenge. Good plays, bad plays, talking smack back-and-forth to each other. It’s all fun and games and we’re here to support each other and have a good time.”
Nancy Volland, Clemson
“This a great atmosphere and these are fun people. I’d like to say I’d be sad about it but it’s not going to be a problem because it’s all about my team come game day.”
Jeanette Kim, Notre Dame
“I think it’s going to be pretty fun. Nancy really knows her football so I think we’re going to have some good commentary and banter going on. It’ll be a little tense for sure but we’ll be just fine.”
Ruben Hunter, Oklahoma
“It’s really fun watching with people that love football. Everyone is going to enjoy the game at one point. Right now, we’re building relationships and we’re friends, but game day is different. It’s all fun and games now but I can’t wait to see the Sooners come out.”
Fans can show their support for these superfans by tuning into the livestream on ESPN3 and by following #ESPNBillboard to join the conversation.
